Rickerd and the other three were each charged with murder, robbery, criminal restraint, burglary and aggravated assault. Rickerd's bail was initially set at $750,000 but later increased to $1 million before Friday's hearing.

Gloucester County Assistant Prosecutor Audrey Curwin told the judge Rickerd dropped her co-defendants off at the home, then picked up a larger vehicle to accommodate the loot from the robbery.

But Rickerd’s attorney, Richard Klineberger, argued that his client wasn’t at the scene when two males attacked McConnell. Instead, Klineberger said, she was with her aunt at a Wawa at the time.

Rickerd also “went above and beyond to be cooperative” with investigators in the case, the defense attorney said. He added that she had no juvenile or adult criminal record and that her mother was willing to post bail and have Rickerd live with her.

Klineberger also told the judge Rickerd’s aunt, Valerie G. Niessner of Sewell, had given her methamphetamine to feed what he called an addiction. Niessner, 47, is one of the other three charged in the case.

Jon O. Nordberg, as pictured in a Florida Department of Law Enforcement sex offender/predator flier

In ruling for the bail reduction, Allen-Jackson said “significant bail” was needed, but that $1 million is at “the top of the range” of bail for a murder charge. She also pointed out there was “some evidence” Rickerd had cooperated with investigators.

McConnell was disabled in an auto crash and was receiving insurance settlement payments as a monthly annuity at the time of the attack, Weisenfeld said.

Authorities said Nordberg, of Vineland, played a key role in the crime because his friendship gave him knowledge of the victim. He remains in jail in default of $1.5 million bail.

Niessner, Nordberg’s girlfriend, is being held in default of $1 million bail. The same is true for the fourth co-defendant, 33-year-old David J. Buss of Glassboro, a friend of Nordberg.